| Erich macht das Fenster auf. Eric, mach das Fenster auf! |
Eric is opening the window. Eric, open the window! . |
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Many German verbs have a prefix in their infinitive form, which separates from the verb in certain sentence structures and appears at the end of the phrase.
| Erich macht das Fenster auf. Eric, mach das Fenster auf! |
Eric is opening the window. Eric, open the window! . |
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If the sentence structure requires that the whole verb appear at the end of the phrase (e.g., in dependent clauses), the two parts are unified; if not, they are separated.
| Eric hat das Fenster aufgemacht. Eric will das Fenster aufmachen. Erich sagt, dass er das Fenster aufmacht. |
Eric has opened the window. Eric wants to open the window. Erich says that he is opening the window. |
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